The highly anticipated crossover boxing match between YouTube star turned professional boxer Jake Paul and former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua is now underway, with betting markets showing a staggering level of confidence in the Englishman.
Betting Markets Overwhelmingly Back Joshua
As the first bell rang, Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) solidified his position as an enormous betting favourite. On the prominent sportsbook BetMGM, Joshua's moneyline odds are sitting at a commanding -900. This means a bettor would need to wager $900 on Joshua to win just $100, reflecting an extremely high perceived probability of victory for the British boxer.
In contrast, the American challenger, Jake Paul (12-1, 7 KOs), enters the ring as a significant underdog. Despite his bold claims of being "the face of boxing," the odds indicate that both bookmakers and the betting public view this as a monumental challenge for the social media sensation against an elite-level professional.
Fans Rally Behind the Experienced Champion
The fight, which began on 20th December 2025, has captured global attention, splitting the boxing community. While Paul brings a massive online following and has shown improvement in his professional career, the experience and proven power of Anthony Joshua have made him the clear crowd and betting favourite.
Key factors influencing the odds include:
- Vast Experience Gap: Joshua's extensive amateur and professional career at the highest level.
- Power Discrepancy: Joshua's 25 knockouts in 28 wins showcase devastating punching power.
- Level of Competition: Joshua has faced a who's who of heavyweight boxing, while Paul has built his record against mixed martial artists and lesser-known boxers.
What This Means for the Boxing World
This event represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing trend of influencer boxing colliding with the traditional sport. A win for Joshua would reinforce the established hierarchy, while a shock victory for Jake Paul would send seismic waves through the industry and validate his ambitious claims.
The developing story continues to unfold round by round. With such heavy financial backing on the Englishman, all eyes are on whether Anthony Joshua can justify the faith of the betting public or if Jake Paul can produce one of the greatest upsets in recent boxing history.
